The Cincinnati Bengals selected edge rusher Cashius Howell with the 41st overall selection during the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Howell doesn’t fit the Bengals’ typical size profile for the position, but it was refreshing to see them target a more explosive pass rusher.
Howell measured in at 6-foot-2 and 253 pounds at the scouting combine. The thing he has been most scrutinized for is his arm length. His arm length was measured at 30 1/4” at the combine and at 31” at his pro day. Regardless of which one it is, it is among the lowest at the position for a top 50 draft prospect at the position. While the concern is valid, I do think the way that he wins as a pass rusher will allow him to overcome those shortcomings.
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Howell has a deep arsenal of pass rush moves, has great bend at the top of his rush, and finished the 2025 season with 11.5 sacks. He is relentless in pursuit, quick off the snap, and has shown the ability to drop in coverage. His 28.8% win rate on true pass sets during the 2025 season was among the highest in the country.
One of the areas that won’t be considered a strength for Howell to begin with is as a run defender. He isn’t known as a stout edge setter, and finished the year with just a 3.1% stop rate as a run defender. While this part of his game may still be developing, the Bengals needed somebody who can get quick wins as a pass rusher. That is exactly what Howell can come in and do.
With his 11.5 sacks on the season, Howell received several accolades for his performance on the field. He was a unanimous All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC, and led the SEC in sacks. Howell also graduated in December, earning a degree in university studies from Texas A&M.
The Bengals were able to get explosiveness and proven production to add in the rotation with Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, and Shemar Stewart at defensive end. Toss in the attention that Dexter Lawrence will command, and this defensive line has a chance to be much improved from the 2025 season.
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